Sliding mechanisms and systems

ABSTRACT

A sliding mechanism for moving a slide-out compartment of a vehicle includes a guide member, a sliding member, and a gear. The gear is used to move the sliding member relative to the guide member. The sliding member and the guide member cooperate with each other to move the slide-out compartment between an extended position and a retracted position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/308,646, entitled “Sliding Mechanisms and Systems,” pending, filed onDec. 2, 2002, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2004/0066060, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/044,481, entitled “Sliding Mechanisms and Systems,” filed onJan. 11, 2002, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2002/0056329, abandoned, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No.6,338,523, entitled “Sliding Mechanisms and Systems,” filed on Nov. 23,1999, all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to a device for sliding objectsin a controlled manner, and, more specifically, to a sliding mechanismfor a “slide-out” compartment or room for a recreational vehicle, suchas a camper, trailer, motor home, or the like.

Recreational vehicles (RVs), such as travel trailers, fifth wheels,campers, various other types of trailers, motor homes and the like,offer users the opportunity to escape the rigors of everyday life andexplore the world we live in. In some cases, resembling a small home onwheels, an RV is capable of transporting and comfortably shelteringpeople for extended periods of time. The primary benefit of such an RVis to enhance the camping or traveling experience by providing thecomforts of home away from home. Additionally, the occupant is given theoption of braving the elements, commonly known as “roughing it,” orretreating to the protection afforded by the RV. Thus, the spirit of“roughing it” may be maintained without deprivation of the full campingexperience.

Although freely mobile, as the size of RVs increase, the ease ofhandling tends to decrease. Additionally, RVs have dimensional limitsdictated by highway regulations or the specific configuration of truckbed that contains the camper. Further, the capacity of the motor vehicleor motor in the RV itself may limit the size of the RV. Responding tothe need for more living space inside a smaller RV, numerous differentRVs incorporate pop-up tops and/or slide-out rooms for selectivelyexpanding the living area. Designed to be used only when the RV isparked, these rooms are retracted and stored in the interior of the RVduring travel, and are slid outwardly when the RV is parked. Generally,upon parking the RV, the slide-out rooms are moved horizontally to anextended position to increase the useable interior space of the vehicle.Alternatively, pop-up tops may be used that move vertically and/orhorizontally to increase the interior space of the RV.

Several different devices have been proposed for use as slide-out rooms.Included among those proposed are expandable camper bodies andenclosures, and slidable room assemblies for RVs. Envisioned for RV use,some older slide-out devices generally include accordion-like side wallslaterally joined to a rigid end wall. Supporting the walls is a slidableframe carried on the main RV frame to slidably extend and retract fromwithin the main RV frame. Traditionally, a manually operated ormotorized driving mechanism interconnects between the sliding frame andthe main frame for expansion and retraction of the slide-out.

The trend in the RV industry over the last several years concerningslide-out rooms has been to incorporate the entire slide-out assemblywithin the main frame of the RV. This trend, has led to the use ofsliding tubes or beams that are attached to or integrally formed withthe main frame of the RV. The associated driving mechanism is attachedto the main frame or in close proximity thereto. However, the componentsforming the slide out mechanism tend to be scattered within the interiorof the RV with the motor in one location, the driving mechanismencompassing another interior region, and the load bearing membersextending across a substantial part of the interior of the RV. As such,the drive mechanisms and other components associated with these slidingmechanisms have become more complex and costly to install, repair,and/or replace.

Driving mechanisms for RV slide-out rooms that are currently available,function in many different forms. They tend to, however, generally sharemany of the same functional and structural characteristics. Onevariation of slide-out drive mechanisms involves the use of threadeddrive screws to drive racks and pivoted cross-members that extend orretract the slide-out room. Another type of drive mechanism uses toothedgeared drive assemblies having racks that expand or contract uponrotation of a toothed gear. Unfortunately, during the rigors of travel,the racks may become disengaged from the gears thereby preventing theslide-out room from being extended or retracted.

Further efforts to provide drives for slide-out rooms have led to theuse of hydraulic cylinders. Resembling horizontally installed hydraulicjacks, these mechanisms slidably force the room open as the hydraulicjack extends. Likewise, the hydraulic cylinder can slidably close theroom. Although straightforward in design, hydraulic systems often tendto be fragile in nature and being subject to deleterious rigors ofvibration in the transport of the RV over the roadway can experience arelatively short service life.

Though these various devices solve many problems, they still require asignificant amount of space within the recreational vehicle for themotor and drive mechanism. While motor home type RVs have substantialamounts of space to accommodate the required motors and drivingmechanisms, the space within camper and trailer type RVs is at a premiumand limits the application of current slide-out room technology. Forexample, in motor home type slide-out rooms, the trend is to include adrive mechanism that extends from one side of the motor home to theother to provide the necessary load bearing strength. This technique isinoperable for camper type RVs because a camper slide-out room mustslide out from a small wing wall that extends over the side of apick-up. To allow an individual to use the camper, the driving mechanismmay not extend into the central isle of the camper, and therefore mustbe limited to the dimensional restrictions of the wing wall.Furthermore, people still desire access to the interior of the camperwhen the slide-out room is retracted. Consequently, the slide-out roomand associated driving mechanism cannot substantially block the interiorisle. As such, it would be beneficial to reduce the space required forthe motor and drive mechanism of a slide-out room for motor homes, andespecially campers and trailers.

Another problematic characteristic often shared by prior art drivemechanism designs is the intended location of the operating mechanism.Slide-out driving mechanisms are usually installed as original equipmentduring manufacture of the RV. Termed “OEM” equipment, the installationlocations of these devices is often chosen without consideration of thefact that it may be desirable to subsequently gain access to suchmechanisms for repair and/or replacement. As a result, the devices areoften incorporated within the confines of the main frame of the RVmaking repairs costly and replacement nearly impossible.

Additionally, with current slide-out room construction a relativelylarge gap is created between the slide-out room and the RV body when theslide-out room is extended. During use under adverse weather conditions,such as wind, rain, sleet, or snow, water tends to leak into theinterior of the recreational vehicle in the area between the slide-outroom and the exterior wall of the vehicle. Current approaches to solvingthis problem involve filling the gap with a sealer to preventinfiltration of inclement weather. Unfortunately, since the gap betweenthe bottom of the slide-out room and the RV body is large, theeffectiveness of the sealer is limited. Furthermore, since the sealingmaterial is less durable than other portions of the RV, over time, thelarger sealers tend to deteriorate, thereby allowing wind, rain, sleet,or snow to creep into the drive mechanisms of the slide-out room or todamage the walls of the RV body.

Another problem with current RV mechanisms occurs once the RV has beenin use for a period of time. During construction of an RV, the slide-outroom is adjusted to properly fit the sidewalls and cooperate with theslide mechanisms. During use, however, the dimensions of the slide-outroom and the body of the recreational vehicle may change due to a numberof conditions. Current construction techniques and slide mechanisms makeit difficult to readjust the fit of the slide-out room relative to therecreational vehicle's sidewalls and floors, thereby providinginefficient sliding, binding, and damage to the sides and floor of boththe slide-out room and the body of the recreational vehicle.

A further problem with many of the available mechanisms for slide-outrooms for an RV is that they are fairly large and cumbersome. Thesemechanisms include numerous pieces and are difficult to adapt todiffering sizes of slide-outs. Further, these mechanisms are difficultto repair and replace.

It would be an advance to provide RV mechanisms for sliding a slide-outroom on an RV, such as a camper, trailer, fifth wheel, motor home, orthe like, that is compact, and reliable, while reducing the possibilityof infiltration of adverse weather conditions within the interior of theRV. In particular, it would be an advance to provide a sliding systemthat incorporates sliding mechanisms, driving mechanisms, and structuralsupport elements within a unit that requires little space forinstallation and use, while being reliable. It would further be anadvantage to be able to use the unit regardless of the size of thedesired slide out.

SUMMARY

To overcome the above limitations and problems, and in accordance withthe invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a slidingmechanism for extending and retracting a slide-out compartment isdisclosed. The sliding mechanism includes a guide member having twosecuring flanges separated by a gap that is in communication with aninterior channel. A slider rail is disposed within the interior channeland has a middle portion adapted with a plurality of holes formedtherein. Extending from the middle portion are two securing members thatcooperate with the securing flanges of the guide member to maintain theslider rail within the interior channel as the middle portion extendsinto the gap.

Disposed within the interior channel at one end of the guide element isa gear mechanism. The gear mechanism drivingly engages with theplurality of holes in the middle portion of the slider rail to extend orretract the slide-out compartment. As such, in one embodiment, the gearmechanism includes a gear shaft and a gear attached to the gear shaft.The gear includes a plurality of teeth that extend into the gap betweenthe securing members to engage with the holes in the middle portion ofthe slider rail. In this configuration, the slider rail is continuouslymaintained in the interior channel and the teeth are in continuousengagement with the slider rail. This prevents the teeth fromdisengaging from the slider rail and being incapable of moving theslide-out compartment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the gear shaft isadapted to cooperate with one or more activation assemblies. In oneembodiment, the activation assembly is a manual activation assembly. Themanual activation assembly includes a connector member that is adaptedto attach to one end of the gear shaft. Located at another end of theconnector member is a hand crank. As the hand crank is rotated, theconnector member is rotated, thereby activating the gear mechanism toextend or retract the slide-out compartment.

In another embodiment, the activation assembly is a motorized activationassembly. The motorized activation assembly includes a quick-releasearrangement that allows a motor to be engaged and disengaged throughrotation of a cam lever. The motorized activation assembly allows amotor to communicate with the gear shaft to thereby allow the motor toextend and retract the slide-out compartment. Additionally, when thesliding mechanism includes two connected gear shafts, with a manualactivation assembly coupled to one gear shaft and a motorized activationassembly coupled to the other gear shaft, activation of thequick-release arrangement releases engagement of the motor with one gearshaft thereby allowing operation of the manual activation assembly. Inone embodiment, the two gear shafts can be coupled together by a timingassembly. The timing assembly includes a detachable drive shaft that iscapable of engaging and disengaging the two gear shafts independently ofeach other.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a system for extendingand retracting a slide-out compartment incorporated within arecreational vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a base assemblythat is adapted for fixable attachment to the recreational vehicle. Thebase assembly includes the guide member and a number of support elementsthat combine to provide structural support to both the slide-outcompartment and the remaining parts of the recreational vehicle. Thebase assembly cooperates with the sliding mechanism to allow a slide-outcompartment to be extended and retracted. In one embodiment of thesliding system, two slider rails are attached together through twoslider supports.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a systemfor extending and retracting a slide-out compartment of a recreationalvehicle is disclosed. The system includes one or more modular slidermechanism assemblies that can be connected together to move theslide-out compartment. Each slider mechanism can optionally operatealone or in combination with one or more other slider mechanisms tofacilitate movement of the slide-out compartment. In one configuration,a single slider mechanism can be coupled to a slide-out compartment andbe capable of moving the same. In other configurations, two or moresliding mechanisms are connected together through use of one or moreconnector members that enable rotational motion of a gear mechanism tobe translated to rotational motion of other gear mechanisms of othersliding mechanisms. Therefore, the system of the present inventiondiscloses a modular slider mechanism that can be linked with othermodule sliding assemblies dependent upon the size and configuration ofthe slide-out compartment to be moved.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description that follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by the practice of the invention.

DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above recited and other advantagesand objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular descriptionof the invention briefly described above will be rendered by referenceto specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be consideredlimiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additionalspecificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a partial breakaway perspective view of one embodiment of amotor vehicle and an RV, in this instance in the form of a camper,including one embodiment of the sliding system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sliding system.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a baseassembly of the sliding system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a slidingassembly of the sliding system of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are partial perspective views of embodiments of a sliderrail for one embodiment of the sliding assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a rollerassembly of the sliding system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a gearmechanism of the sliding system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is partial cross-sectional view of the gear mechanism of FIG. 7installed in a base assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the sliding system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is an end view of one embodiment of a first end of a drive shaftof the sliding system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is an end view of one embodiment of a second end of a driveshaft of the sliding system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a motorizeddrive assembly that can be used with the sliding system.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of aquick-release arrangement having a cam member in a cammed orientation.

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of aquick-release arrangement of FIG. 13 with the cam member in an uncammedorientation.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the quickrelease arrangement of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view that depicts the relativepositions of the cam member and a second end of a second gear, in thecammed orientation, of the quick release arrangement of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view that depicts the relativepositions of the cam member and a second end of a second gear, in theuncammed orientation, of the quick-release arrangement of FIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a cammember that is adapted to be added to an existing motorized activationassembly.

FIG. 19A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a sliderrail

FIG. 19B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a sliderrail.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of another embodiment of the sliding system ofthe present invention with a motorized activation assembly.

FIG. 21 is a partial breakaway perspective view of another embodiment ofa sliding system of the present invention in use with another type ofRV.

FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view of the sliding system of FIG.21.

FIG. 23 is a partially exploded perspective view of one embodiment ofthe sliding system of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a sliderrail.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a sliderrail.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a sliderrail.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a sliderrail.

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of amotorized drive assembly that can be used with the sliding system.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the slidingsystem.

FIG. 30 is a partial breakaway cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of a drive assembly in one embodiment of sliding system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to sliding mechanisms and systems whichmay be used to extend and retract a slide-out compartment incorporatedwithin a recreational vehicle (RV), such as but not limited to campers,trailers, fifth wheels, motor homes, or other conveyances that transportpeople, objects or things. The sliding mechanism is configured to becompact, while being capable of extending and retracting variously sizedslide-out rooms or compartments to increase the living space within aRV.

Furthermore, the sliding mechanisms and systems described hereinincorporate numerous sliding and driving components into a single unitthereby making installation simpler and quicker, while maintainingstructural support and providing additional structural support to theRV. Additionally, the sliding mechanisms and systems are capable ofbeing installed on various RV and at varying locations on the RV withoutthe need to substantially alter any portion of the mechanisms orcomponents. As such, the sliding mechanisms and systems of the presentinvention are interchangeable or may be used without modification forslide-out rooms or compartments on the right, left, front, or rear ofthe RV.

It will be appreciated that as used herein the terms “recreationalvehicle” or “RV” are intended to encompass a broad category ofconveyances that transport people and/or other objects, including butnot limited to campers, trailers, fifth wheels, motor homes and thelike. Initially, the sliding mechanisms and systems are describedhereinafter with reference to a camper that is contained within the bedof a pick-up truck. The discussion relating to application of thepresent invention to campers should not be considered as limiting theapplication of the general principals of the invention to other types ofRV's, such as trailers, fifth wheels, motor homes, or other conveyancesthat transport people, objects or things. Additionally, reference ismade herein to a single slide-out compartment; however, it can beappreciated by one skilled in the art that multiple slide-outcompartments may be incorporated within a single recreational vehicle.

FIG. 1 depicts a vehicle 10 with a cab 12 and a vehicle bed (not shown)that supports a camper 18. As shown, camper 18 has a forward portion 20that extends over cab 12 of vehicle 10 and a rear portion 22 thatextends beyond the rear of vehicle 10. Camper 18 has a stepconfiguration formed with a lower exterior wall 24 retained within theinterior of the bed (not shown) and an upper exterior wall 26 that islocated above the bed (not shown). Lower exterior wall 24 and upperexterior wall 26 are joined together by way of a wing wall 28 (FIG. 2)that extends over a side 16 of vehicle 10. As depicted in FIG. 1, in oneembodiment camper 18 includes a slide-out room or compartment 30. Asillustrated, in one embodiment, slide-out compartment 30 is locatedintermediate between forward portion 20 and rear portion 22 of camper18. Slide-out compartment 30, however, may be located at the forwardportion 20 or rearward portion 22 of the side of camper 18.Alternatively, slide-out compartment 30 may be located at the front orrear of camper 18. Furthermore, camper 18 may include a multiple numberof slide-out compartments 30 which are located at the front, rear,and/or on both sides of camper 18.

According to one aspect of the present invention, slide-out compartment30 is extended and retracted by way of a sliding system, as referencedby numeral 40 in FIG. 2. The configuration of sliding system 40minimizes the space required for installation and usage of slidingsystem 40 to extend and retract slide-out compartment 30 (FIG. 1),thereby increasing the available living area while providing therequisite strength and functionality to operate slide-out compartment30.

Sliding system 40 includes a base assembly 42, a gear mechanism 44 and aslider assembly 46. As depicted in FIG. 2, base assembly 42 is attachedto wing wall 28 of camper 18. Base assembly 42 is configured to bothprovide structural support for gear mechanism 44 and slider assembly 46,while providing structural support to camper 18.

Additionally, base assembly 42 is adapted to form the central unit ofsliding system 40 upon which gear mechanism 44 and slider assembly 46may be attached and to which portions of camper 18 are affixed.

One embodiment of base assembly 42 includes support elements 50 thatprovide structural support to both sliding system 40 and camper 18.Attached to support elements 50 are optional feet 52 (FIG. 3) that arecapable of assisting in leveling and attaching support elements 50 tocamper 18. As illustrated in FIG. 2, also attached to support element 50are a number of guide members or elements 54 that cooperate with gearmechanism 44 and slider assembly 46 to allow slide-out compartment 30 tobe retracted or extended as required.

In the case of use with camper 18 (FIG. 1), base assembly 42 is sized sothat when support elements 50 are coupled to wing wall 28, the locationof support elements 50 on wing wall 28 coincides with the top of lowerexterior wall 24 and the bottom portion of upper exterior wall 26. Baseassembly 42, and therefore support elements 50, provides structuralsupport to camper 18.

As depicted in both FIGS. 2 and 3, each support element 50 has agenerally U shaped cross-section having an outer portion 60 and an innerportion 62 that are separated by a base portion or assembly 64. Outerportion 60 and inner portion 62 have a spaced apart relationship thatallows attachment of guide members 54, while giving strength to baseassembly 42. As shown in FIG. 2, support elements 50 are capable ofbeing attached to wing wall 28, while also attaching to lower exteriorwall 24 and upper exterior wall 26. As such, the cross-sectionalconfiguration of support element 50 may be varied as necessary dependenton the particular use thereof, such that support element 50 may have across-section in the configuration of a square, rectangular, oval,trapezoidal, polygonal, combinations thereof, or any other cross-sectioncapable of providing sufficient support associated with support element50.

As depicted in FIG. 3, inner portion 62 includes a plurality of feetfastening holes 66 through which optional feet 52 may be coupledthereto. In one embodiment, both base portion 64 and outer portion 60include numerous fastening holes 68 which are configured to allowportions of camper 18 to be attached to support element 50. By way ofexample, and not limitation, fastening holes 68 in outer portion 60 maybe sized to allow fasteners to attach outer portion 60 to upper exteriorwall 26, while fastening holes 68 in base portion 64 may be sized toallow fasteners to attach base assembly 42 to wing wall 28. It will beappreciated that the number, size, and dimensions of feet fasteningholes 66 and fastening holes 68 may be varied as needed. In addition,feet fastening holes 66 and fastening holes 68 may have various otherconfigurations that are not illustrated in FIG. 3. By way of example andnot limitation, feet fastening holes 66 and fastening holes 68 may beround, oval, elliptical, elongated, square, triangular, rectangular,polygonal, combinations thereof, or the like.

Support element 50 may be composed of various types of materials, suchas by way of example and not limitation, metals, composites, plastics,or the like, as long as the material used is capable of providingsupport to the other components of the present invention, while givingstructural support to camper 18. In one embodiment, support element 50is substantially composed of steel.

In one embodiment, each foot 52 can be releasably attached to supportelement 50. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that feet52 are an optional feature of sliding system 40. Sliding system 40 isequally effective without feet 52. Feet 52 allow support element 50 tobe leveled with respect to wing wall 28 and the other components anddimensions of camper 18, such as lower and upper exterior walls 24, 26,respectively. Additionally, feet 52 are particularly useful as thecamper ages, because feet 52 may be utilized to assist with eliminatingproblems such as the camper not being level. Furthermore, feet 52 may beused to compensate for defects in the construction of camper 18 thatwould otherwise affect the sliding motion of sliding system 40. In oneembodiment, each foot 52 has a generally L-shaped cross-section. Asdepicted in FIG. 3, each foot 52 can have a first foot portion 70adapted to couple to support element 50 at feet fastening holes 66,while a second foot portion 72 is adapted to couple to wing wall 28.Each foot portion 70, 72 includes a number of apertures 74 which areadapted to cooperate with numerous types of fastener (not shown) toallow secure attachment of each foot 52 to either wing wall 28 orsupport element 50. Additionally, in one embodiment, each aperture 74has an ovular or slotted form to allow adjustment of support elements 50and feet 52.

In view of the teaching contained herein, one skilled in the art canidentify various other configurations of each foot 52 that are capableof performing the function thereof. By way of example and not imitation,each foot 52 may have various other cross-sectional configurations, suchas square, rectangular, or the like. Additionally, in anotherconfiguration, each foot 52 can be integrally formed with supportelement 50 and washers slidably engage with a fastener to vary thedistance between each second foot portion 72 and wing wall 28. Inanother configuration, each foot 52 is in the form of a post orcylindrical member that has a threaded portion encompassing the exteriorsurface thereof. The threaded portion cooperates with a complementarythreaded portion formed in support element 50, to thereby level baseassembly 42. In yet another configuration, each foot 52 may have theform of a post or cylindrical member that is spring-loaded to maintainseparation between wing wall 28 and second foot portion 72.

As shown in FIG. 2, guide member 54 is attached to support element 50.Guide member 54 separates and gives structural support to supportelements 50, thereby providing structural integrity to base assembly 42.Guide member 54, additionally, cooperates with slider assembly 46 andgear mechanism 44 to allow slider assembly 46 to be extended andretracted during operation of sliding system 40.

In one embodiment, guide member 54, shown in greater detail in FIG. 3,has a generally C-shaped cross-section. Guide member 54 has a first side80 and a second side 82 separated by a base 84. Extending from firstside 80 and second side 82 is a first securing flange 86 and a secondsecuring flange 88, respectively. First and second securing flanges 86,88, respectively, are sized such that a gap 90 remains therebetween. Itwill be appreciated that the configuration of guide member 54 defines achannel along the longitudinal length thereof. In this embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 2, guide member 54 is adapted to cooperate with gearmechanism 44 and slider assembly 46 to allow slide-out compartment 30 tobe extended and retracted.

Referring back to FIG. 3, guide member 54 has a first end 124 and asecond end 126. Located at first end 124 of guide member 54 is a gearmount 94. At second end 126 is a roller mount 96. It can be appreciatedby one skilled in the art, however, that gear mount 94 may be located atsecond end 126 and roller mount 96 may be located at first end 124.Similarly, it can be appreciated that both gear mount 94 and rollermount 96 may be located at any longitudinal distance along guide member54. Furthermore, in another embodiment of base assembly 42, gear mount94 is located at first end 124 and roller mount is located at second end126, however, base assembly 42 is rotated 180 degrees from that shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 when installed on camper 18.

Gear mount 94 includes two bushing protrusions 98 which extend fromrespective surfaces of first side 80 and second side 82. An axial gearshaft hole 100 passes through bushing protrusion 98 and the associatedfirst side 80 or second side 82. Axial gear shaft holes 100 are adaptedto cooperate with gear mechanism 44, and allow free rotation thereof.Bushing protrusions 98 and axial gear shaft holes 100 are one embodimentof structure capable of performing the function of a connecting meansfor coupling gear mechanism 44 to guide member 54. It will beappreciated by one skilled in the art that various other configurationsof connecting means are possible. For example, connecting means couldutilize gear shaft holes 100 that have the form of a slot that extendsto the end of first side 80 or second side 82, distal from base 84. Inthis embodiment, the slot is capped with a securing flange that closesthe open end thereof and attaches gear mechanism 44 to guide member 54.In another embodiment, bushing protrusions 98 are detachable and securedto guide member 54 by way of one or more fasteners. In yet anotherembodiment, connecting means comprises of a hole that has an interiortapered form that frictionally retains gear mechanism 44 to guide member54.

Roller mount 96 includes two axially coinciding roller shaft holes 102formed in first side 80 and second side 82. Roller shaft holes 102 arecapable of cooperating with the components of roller assembly 148 (FIG.6). Roller shaft hole 102 is one structure capable of performing thefunction of connecting means for coupling roller assembly 148 to guidemember 54. It will be appreciated that various other configurations ofconnecting means are capable of performing the function thereof. Forexample, roller shaft hole 102 may be tapered to cause a friction fitwith roller assembly 148. In another embodiment of connecting means,roller shaft hole 102 includes protrusions similar to those of bushingprotrusions 98. In yet another embodiment of connecting means, rollershaft hole 102 is a slot.

As depicted in FIG. 2, slider assembly 46 is disposed in the channel 92(FIG. 3) defined by guide member 54 and cooperates with securing flanges86, 88 (FIG. 2). Slider assembly 46 is attached to slide-out compartment30, as well as being slidably engaged with the channel 92 defined byguide member 54 and gear mechanism 44. Slider assembly 46, incooperation with guide member 54, provides the structural support andload bearing members that carry the weight and dissipate the forcesresulting from extending and retracting slide-out compartment 30. Asdepicted in FIG. 4, slider assembly 46 includes slider rails 10 that arecoupled to slider supports 112. While FIG. 4 depicts slider assembly 46as having two slider rails 110 and two slider supports 112, it will beappreciated that various other numbers of slider rails 110 and slidersupports 112 could be used.

In one embodiment of slider rail 110, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, sliderrail 110 has a raised middle portion 114, with a first securing memberor portion 116 and a second securing member or portion 118. First andsecond securing members 116, 118, respectively, extend outwardly fromthe peripheral edges of middle portion 114. Securing members 116, 118may have various widths, so long as they are capable of cooperating withsecuring flanges 86, 88 of guide members 54 to retain slider rail 110within the channel 92 defined by guide member 54. Middle portion 114includes a number of slots 120 that are configured to cooperate withgear mechanism 44 to allow movement of slider assembly 46. In oneembodiment, each slot 120 has a generally rectangular or polygonal form.It will be appreciated, however, that various other configurations arecapable of performing the function thereof. By way of example and notlimitation, slot 120 may be round, oval, elliptical, or any combinationthereof. What is important is that slot 120 be configured to cooperatewith gear mechanism 44. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5A, one or more ofslots 120 may include a curved section that is capable of accommodatinga fastener (not shown) to attach slider rail 110 to a portion ofslide-out compartment 30. First end 123 and second end 125 of sliderrail 110 have a number of retaining holes 128 formed therein. In oneembodiment, retaining holes 128 include an optional threaded portion toallow slider rail 110 to be attached to slider support 112.Alternatively, slider support 112 may be bolted, welded, riveted, orglued to slider rail 110 during fabrication or manufacture.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, an alternate embodiment of a slider rail 110 bis depicted. Slider rail 110 b includes a first element 130 and a secondelement 132. A slot 133 is formed through the first element 130 andsecond element 132 that acts as slot 120 of slider rail 110.Alternatively, slot 133 may only pass through second element 132 andfirst element 130 is a solid piece of material.

The first element 130 is adapted to act as middle portion 114, while thesecond element 132 acts as securing members 116, 118. Therefore, firstelement 130 is fixably coupled to. the central portion of second element132 such that slots in each element align to form slot 133.Additionally, fixation of first element 130 to second element 132 leavesthe sides 134, 135 of second element 132 exposed such that sides 134,135 are capable of cooperating with securing flanges 86, 88 of guidemembers 54 to retain slider rail 110 within the channel 92 defined byguide member 54. It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art thatthere are various other configurations of slider rails 110, 110 b thatare possible.

Returning to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, slider support 112 has agenerally L-shaped configuration that comprises an upper portion 136 anda side portion 138 extending therefrom. Side portion 138 issubstantially perpendicular to upper portion 136. It will beappreciated, however, that side portion 138 may extend from upperportion 136 at various other angular orientations. In one embodiment,upper portion 136 of slider support 112 includes two notches 140 thatare adapted to cooperate with first and second ends 123, 125 of sliderrail 110. Surrounding each notch 140 in slider support 112 are retainingholes 128 that are configured to cooperate with retaining holes 128 inslider rail 110. As such, notches 140 and retaining holes 128 may havevarious dimensions and sizes so long as they assist in securelyretaining slider rail 110 to slider support 112, i.e. allow fasteners tobe disposed through retaining holes 128 in upper portion 136 and intoretaining holes 128 of slider rail 110.

In one embodiment, both upper portion 136 and side portion 138 of slidersupport 112 include a number of securing orifices 144 that are formed toaccommodate a fastener (not shown) used to attach slider support 112 toa portion of slide-out compartment 30. Securing orifices 144, therefore,may have any desirable form, such as but not limited to, circular,angular, slot-like, or the like. Additionally, the fasteners describedherein may comprise of various types of fasteners, such as but notlimited to, screw, bolts, split pins, or any other fastener that isadapted to couple or connect slider support 112 to a portion of aslide-out compartment.

The cross-sectional configuration of slider rail 110 and slider support112 may be varied as necessary depending on the particular use thereof.By way of example and not limitation, slider rail 110 and slider support112 may have various other configurations such as square, rectangular,polygonal, or other configurations so long as the configuration allowsslider rail and slider support to perform the general functionsdescribed herein. Additionally, slider rail 110 and slider support 112may be fabricated from various types of materials, such as for example,metals, composites, plastics, fibrous material, or the like, so long asthe material has sufficient strength for extending and retractingslide-out compartment 30. In one embodiment, slider rail 110 and slidersupport 112 are substantially composed of a steel material.

In use of sliding system 40, slider rail 110 cooperates with rollerassembly 148 as depicted in FIG. 6. Roller assembly 148 includes aroller shaft 150 and a roller 152. Roller shaft 150 is sized to securelyfit within roller shaft holes 102 and an axial hole 164 formed throughroller 152. Roller shaft holes 102 and axial hole 164 are sized andconfigured to allow roller 152 to rotate about roller shaft 150. In oneembodiment, roller shaft 150 includes two fastening grooves 154 formedin the surface thereof, which are adapted to receive fastening orretention clips 156. Fastening clips 156 and fastening grooves 154assist in retaining roller shaft 150 within roller shaft holes 102.Various other structures are capable of performing the function ofroller shaft 150, fastening clips 156, and fastening grooves 154. Forexample, in another embodiment roller 152 is configured to cooperatewith the underside of middle portion 114 of slider rail 110 so as toself-center therein. In another embodiment, roller shaft 150 may beretained within roller shaft holes 102 through a friction fit and roller152 is configured to rotate axially around roller shaft 150. In yetanother embodiment, roller shaft 150 includes pinholes that accommodatesplit pins or the like, which prevent retraction of roller shaft 150from within roller shaft holes 102.

Roller shaft 150 may be manufactured from various types of material,such as by way of example and not by way of limitation, metals,composites, plastics, and the like. In one embodiment, roller shaft 150is composed of steel.

In one embodiment, roller 152 has a generally cylindrical configurationthat includes a larger diameter portion 160 and a smaller diameterportion 162. Larger diameter portion 160 of roller 152 is configured tocooperate with slider rails 110. In addition, roller 152 self-centerswithin the channel 92 defined by guide member 54 upon insertion ofroller shaft 150 through axial hole 164. Larger diameter portion 160 andmiddle portion 114 of slider rail 110 are configured to cooperate so asto allow roller 152 to self-center. Consequently, larger diameterportion 160 self-centers on the underside of middle portion 114 ofslider rail 110 to provide smooth sliding of slider rail 110 within thechannel 92 defined by guide member 54.

Roller 152 is rotatably mounted within the channel 92 defined by guidemember 54 as roller shaft 150 passes through roller shaft hole 102 andlocates within roller mount 96. In this embodiment, roller 152 has alength sufficient to extend across the width of the channel 92 definedby guide member 54. As such, roller 152 abuts against first side 80 andsecond side 82 to reduce movement of roller 152 during use.Additionally, since roller 152 abuts the sides 80, 82 of guide member54, larger diameter portion 160 is always in engagement with middleportion 114 of slider rail 110. It will be appreciated that roller 152may take various other forms such as bearing rollers, or the like.

Roller 152 may be composed of various types of material, such as by wayof example and not by way of limitation, metal, composites, plastics,and the like. In one embodiment, roller 152 is formed from a plasticmaterial.

As depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, gear mechanism 44 is adapted to cooperatewith slider rail 110. One embodiment of gear mechanism 44, illustratedin FIG. 7, includes a gear shaft 170 and a gear 172. Gear shaft 170 issized to securely fit within gear shaft holes 100 of guide member 54with the aid of bushings 174, while being capable of freely rotatingwithin bushings 174. As depicted, in one embodiment, gear shaft 170 hasa generally cylindrical configuration. Gear shaft 170 has a first end180, a second end 182, and an intermediate portion 176 disposed therebetween. First and second ends 180, 182, respectively, are shaped toallow driving activation assemblies and timing mechanism to be engagedthereto. As shown, in this embodiment, first and second ends 180, 182are generally square, while intermediate portion 176 is generallycylindrical. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that gearshaft 170, first and second ends 180, 182, respectively, andintermediate portion 176 may have various other cross-sectionalconfigurations, such as by example and not limitation, hexagonal,square, octagonal, triangular, oval, polygonal, or the like. In anotherembodiment, gear shaft 170 has a generally hexagonal form with twocylindrical portions that cooperate with bushings 174 to allow freerotation of gear shaft 170.

Gear 172 is adapted to cooperate with gear shaft 170. In one embodimentdepicted in FIG. 7, gear 172 has a generally cylindrical form with aplurality of teeth 190 extending outwardly from a surface thereof. Teeth190 are configured to cooperate with slots 120 formed in slider rail,110, as shown in FIG. 8. Returning to FIG. 7, gear 172 has an axial hole192 that is sized to cooperate with the dimensions of gear shaft 170. Inthis embodiment, axial hole 192 has a generally cylindricalconfiguration, however, various other cross-sectional shapes arepossible as long as axial hole 192 and intermediate portion 176cooperate.

In addition, gear 172 has a retaining hole 194 that passes through gear172 and is sized to cooperate with a retaining hole 184 formed in gearshaft 170. As shown in FIG. 8, when gear 172 is mounted on gear shaft170, retaining holes 184, 194 align to accommodate a securing pin (notshown). The securing pin (not shown) prevents gear 172 from slippingrelative to gear shaft 170 as gear shaft 170 rotates to extend orretract slide-out compartment 30. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7,gear shaft 170 and axial hole 192 may have complementary shapes suchthat the complementary shape limits any slippage which might occurbetween gear shaft 170 and axial hole 192. Fastening clips 156 cooperatewith coinciding retaining grooves 198 formed in gear shaft 170 to retaingear shaft 170 within gear shaft holes 100. As illustrated in FIG. 8,gear 172 is disposed in the channel 92 defined by guide member 54 andextends into gap 90 between securing flanges 86, 88. Teeth 190,therefore, engage with slots 120 of slider rail 110.

It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that various otherconfigurations of gear mechanism 44 are capable of performing thefunction thereof. For example, gear 172 may be welded, brazed, or joinedto gear shaft 170. In another embodiment, gear shaft 170 may includepinholes which accommodate split pins that prevent gear shaft 170 frombeing retracted from gear shaft holes 100. In another embodiment, gearshaft 170 may include two gears 172 that cooperate with a slider railhaving two sets of slots. In still another embodiment, gear 172 may beretained on gear shaft 170, solely through the combination of retainingholes 184, 194 and a securing pin. In yet another embodiment, gear shaft170 is located through gear shaft holes 100 that are located at secondend 126 of guide element 54.

Gear 172, gear shaft 170, and bushing 174, may be manufactured fromvarious types of material, such as by way of example and not by way oflimitation, metal, composites, plastics, and the like. In oneembodiment, gear 172, gear shaft 170, and bushing 174 are fabricatedfrom steel. While in this embodiment gear 172, gear shaft 170, andbushings 174 are composed of the same material, this is not required.

Referring back to FIG. 2, sliding system 40 is depicted in a fullyassembled and operational form. Support elements 50 are coupled to guidemembers 54 such that guide members 54 rest upon inner portions 62 ofsupport elements 50. Simultaneously, the ends of guide members 54 areattached to outer portions 60 of support elements 50. Support elements50 and guide members 54 combine to form a square or rectangular baseassembly 42.

As shown in FIG. 8, upon manufacture of base assembly 42, gearmechanisms 44 are coupled to respective guide members 54, such that gear172 is substantially centered within the channels 92 defined by guidemembers 54. It will be appreciated that when assembled, roller 152 issimilarly centered within the channel 92 defined by guide member 54.Before slider rail 110 is attached, teeth 190 of gear 172 extend betweensecuring flanges 86, 88 and await engagement with slots 120 of sliderrail 110.

Once slider rails 110 are fixably attached to slider supports 112,slider rail 110 is located within the channel 92 defined by guide member54 such that securing flanges 86, 88 of guide member 54 contact securingmembers 116, 118 to retain slider rail 110. In one embodiment, securingmembers 116, 118 cooperate with wear guides 200 coupled to securingflanges 86, 88. Wear guides 200 separate securing flanges 86, 88 fromsecuring members 116, 118. Wear guides 200 minimize the effects offriction and reduce wear of the securing flanges 86, 88 and securingmembers 116, 118. It will be appreciated that wear guides 200 may befabricated from various materials such as plastics, or the like.

As securing members 116, 118 couple with securing flanges 86, 88, middleportion 114 of slider 110 extends through gap 90, thereby allowing slots120 to engage teeth 190 of gears 172. In this configuration, teeth 190of gear 172 remain in contact with slots 120 of slider rail 110throughout the life of sliding system 40. There is, therefore, nopossibility of gear 172 disengaging from slots 120 before, during, orafter slide-out compartment 30 is extended or retracted. This eliminatesthe problem with prior sliding mechanisms and systems that disengageduring travel of the recreational vehicle, thereby requiring costlyrepairs and maintenance.

During assembly, slider rail 110 is moved along the channel 92 definedby guide member 54 until the detached end of slider rails 110 extendsout of guide channel 92. When this occurs, a second slider support 112,depicted in FIG. 9, is attached to slider rail 110 to thereby formslider assembly 46. Slider supports 112 prevent over extraction ofslider rails 110 from the channel 92 defined by guide member 54, therebypreventing over extension of slide-out compartment 30 during use.

As shown in FIG. 9, in one embodiment, sliding system 40 utilizes twogear mechanisms 44 located at first ends 124 of guide members 54. Thecombination of gear mechanism 44 is considered the gearing assembly ofthe present invention. It may be appreciated, however, that the gearingassembly may comprise of various other numbers of gear mechanism 44.Additionally, the location of each gear mechanism 44 may be varied sothat gear mechanism 44, and so the gearing assembly, may be at anylocation along the length of guide members 54.

The sliding system 40 as depicted herein encompasses substantially allthe structural support members, sliding members, and driving elementswithin the interior confines of base assembly 42. As such, slidingsystem 40 of the present invention is compact and has a height that isminimized to reduce the gap formed between the camper's exterior wallsand the slider rails 110 of sliding system 40. By so doing, slidingsystem 40 reduces the area through which wind, rain, sleet, and snow caninfiltrate during use of slide-out compartment 30.

Additionally, since all the components are attached to base assembly 42,shown in FIG. 2, sliding system 40 is simple to install on a camper,thereby reducing cost and time for fabricating campers with slide-outcompartments. Furthermore, sliding system 40 reduces the required spacefor apparatus and devices that extend and retract slide-out compartments30.

According to another aspect of the present invention, as depicted inFIG. 9, gear shafts 170 of gear mechanism 44 are connected by way of atiming assembly 205. Timing assembly 205 includes a drive shaft 210 anda retaining spring 212. Although retaining spring 212 is depicted asbeing on the right side of sliding system 40, it is contemplated thatretaining spring 212 could be on the left side and have equaleffectiveness. Drive shaft 210 has a generally elongated form with afirst end 214 and a second end 216. Each end 214, 216 of drive shaft 210has a respective connector recess. One embodiment of first connectorrecess 218 and second connector recess 220 is depicted in FIGS. 10 and11. Connector recesses 218, 220 are adapted to cooperate with therespective ends of gear shaft 170. As shown in FIG. 10, first connectorrecess 218 has an interior configuration having six facets formedtherein. In contrast, as illustrated in FIG. 11, second connector recess220 has an interior configuration with twelve facets formed therein.Each interior configuration is capable of cooperating with either end ofgear shaft 170. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art thatvarious other configurations of timing assembly 205 are possible. Forexample, timing assembly 205 could include two retaining springs, one oneach gear shaft 170 of this embodiment of sliding system 40. In anotherexample, timing assembly 205 is capable of rotating either gearmechanism 44 on either side of sliding system 40.

One feature of the present invention is the ability of drive shaft 210to be disengaged with respect to one gear shaft 170 attached to oneguide member 54, while remaining engaged with a second gear shaft 170attached to a second guide member 54. In this manner, the timing ofsliding system 40 and gear mechanism 44 may be adjusted, therebycompensating for any misalignment between slide-out compartment 30 andcamper 18 and reducing any binding and wearing of slider rails 110 andslide-out compartment 30.

To time sliding system 40, drive shaft 210 is pushed toward gear shaft170 having retaining spring 212 proximal thereto. As retaining spring212 depresses, second end 216 of drive shaft 210 disengages secondconnector recess 220 (FIG. 11) from a second gear shaft 170. Upon beingdisengaged, drive shaft 210 may be rotated to turn gear shaft 170,thereby modifying the starting position of gear shaft 170. Uponachieving the desired rotation to time gear shaft 170, drive shaft 210is released and first connector recess 218 (FIG. 10) engages with gearshaft 170 as retaining spring 212 extends to an extended position.

This configuration also allows the user to compensate for deviations inthe squareness of slide-out compartment 30 and camper 18 because secondconnector recess 220 (FIG. 11) of drive shaft 210 has twelve facets ascompared to first connector recess 218 (FIG. 10) which has six. That is,drive shaft 210 may be rotated in increments of 1/12th of a completerotation. It will be appreciated that connector recesses 218, 220 may beformed with a variety of different internal facets, thereby providing adifferent number of increments of rotation.

To extend or retract slide-out compartment 30 it is necessary to utilizean activation assembly, such as a manual activation assembly or amotorized activation assembly. Sliding system 40 is configured to workwith either one. A manual activation assembly 230 is depicted in FIG. 9.Manual activation assembly 230 includes a connector member 232 and ahand crank 234. Hand crank 234 has a generally S-shaped form with ahandle 236 at one end thereof and a shaped connector end 238 distalthereto. Shaped connector end 238 releasably couples to connector member232. Connector member 232 has a first end 240 adapted to hook to gearshaft 170 and a second end 242 that cooperates with shaped connector end238 of hand crank 234. As such, rotational movement of hand crank 234 istranslated along connector member 232 to gear shaft 170.

Connector member 232 may have various lengths and dimensions, so long asit is capable of cooperating with gear shaft 170 and hand crank 234. Forexample, connector member 232 may have a length sufficient to passthrough a portion of exterior walls 24, 26 of camper 18 to engage withgear shaft 170 on either side of sliding system 40. Alternatively,connector member 232 may be integrally formed with hand crank 234.Connector member 232 and hand crank 234 may have various configurationsas long as they are capable of cooperating and can translate rotationalmotion to gear shaft 170.

Alternative to, or in combination with manual activation assembly 230,sliding system 40 may incorporate a motorized activation assembly 250.One embodiment of which is illustrated in FIG. 12. One embodiment ofmotorized activation assembly 250 includes a gear reduction assembly 252and a motor 254. Motor 254 is engaged to gear reduction assembly 252. Asschematically depicted in FIG. 12, motor 254 includes a drive shaft 340extending from a body thereof. Motor 254 may take various forms such aselectric, pneumatic, oil, gasoline, or the like. As such, one skilled inthe art can identify various types of motor that may be utilized torotate second end 302 of second gear 260, thereby rotating gear shaft170 to extend and retract slide-out compartment 30.

Gear reduction assembly 252 includes a connector plate 256, a first gear258, a second gear 260, and a connector box 266. In one embodiment,connector plate 256 has a generally square shape with a first aperture268 and a second aperture 270 formed therein. Connector plate 256further includes a plurality of retaining holes 274 located about theperipheral edge of connector plate 256 that cooperate with a pluralityof fasteners (not shown) to allow connector plate 256 to be coupled toguide member 54, as illustrated in FIG. 20.

Cooperating with first aperture 268 is first gear 258. First gear 258has a first end 290 and a second end 292 with a plurality of teeth 294located therebetween. First end 290 is adapted to be disposed withinfirst aperture 268 of connector plate 256, while second end 292cooperates with connector box 266. First end 290 includes an interiorrecess 296 that engages with gear shaft 170, such that rotationalmovement of first gear 258 rotates gear shaft 170. As such, interiorrecess 296 may have various forms and dimensions, so long as it iscapable of engaging with gear shaft 170.

Second gear 260 is engaged with both first gear 258 and connector plate256. Second gear 260 has a first end 300, an elongated second end 302,and a plurality of teeth 304 disposed therebetween. First end 300cooperates with second aperture 270 of connector plate 256, while secondend 302 cooperates with connector box 266. Second end 302 is furtheradapted to cooperate with motor 254 so that rotational motion induced bymotor 254 is translated to teeth 304 that are engaged with teeth 294 offirst gear 258. Second end 302 of second gear 260 may have various formsas known by one skilled in the art.

In communication with second end 292 of first gear 258 and second end302 of second gear 260 is connector box 266. Connector box 266 includesa body portion 280, a flange 282 mounted to body portion 280, and a camlever 332. Cam lever 332 is the only component of a quick releasearrangement 330 (FIG. 13) that is visible. Attached to one end of bodyportion 280 is flange 282. Flange 282, in one embodiment, has the samegeneral configuration as connector plate 256, i.e., includes a firstaperture 268, a second aperture 270, and a plurality of retaining holes274 formed about a periphery thereof. It will be appreciated by oneskilled in the art that connector box 266 may have various otherconfigurations, such as round, hexagonal, rectangular, octagonal,trapezoidal, polygonal, or the like. Additionally, connector box 266 maybe fabricated from various types of material, such as plastics,composites, metals, or the like.

Body portion 280 of connector box 266 has a generally squarecross-section with an interior. Interior of body portion 280 is adaptedto accommodate structures described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,353, entitled“Quick Release Arrangement for a Camper Jack System,” the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by this reference. Therefore, interior includesquick release arrangement 330 (FIG. 13) that connects and releases thedriving force of motor 254 to second end 302 of second gear 260.

FIG. 13 depicts a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of quickrelease arrangement 330. A coupler 334 having a bore 335 therethrough isadapted at a top end 336 to engage a lower end 338 of motor drive shaft340. Motor drive shaft 340 is rotatable on its longitudinal axis but isfixed against vertical movement within body portion 280. Motor driveshaft 340 extends a short distance from coupler 334 and passes throughan opening surrounded by a stationary flange 352 into a compartment forcoupling with motor 254 in motor housing (not shown), such that motordrive shaft 340 is directionally rotated by motor 254. Motor 254 resistsmovement in an opposite direction to the motor's directional setting,and so provides brake control as well as drive control to second end 302of second gear 260.

Coupler 334 has a bottom end 342 adapted to slidably engage second end302 of second gear 260. Second gear 260 is also rotatable on itslongitudinal axis but is fixed against longitudinal movement withinconnector box 266. Coupler 334 is configured to securely engage motordrive shaft 340 and second end 302 of second gear 260 such that, whencoupled, motor drive shaft 340 and second gear 260 rotate togetherthrough operation of motor 254. At the same time, coupler 334 is adaptedto slide along the longitudinal axis of motor drive shaft 340 and secondend 302 of second gear 260.

It will be appreciated that various means for affecting the slidableengagement of coupler 334, motor drive shaft 340 and second gear 260could be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, bore 335 throughcoupler 334 is configured to have notched corners 345 to thereby engagewith comers 315 of the substantially square-shaped second end 302 ofsecond gear 260 and motor drive shaft 340 such that coupled rotationwill occur while still permitting coupler 334 to slide longitudinallyalong motor drive shaft 340 and second end 302 of second gear 260. Towithstand the torque generated by operation of motor 254, coupler 334 isconstructed of a strong and durable metal material. Alternatively, inthe event that quick release arrangement 330 is used with manualactivation assembly 230 or some other manual activation means that donot generate as much torque, a very strong plastic or nylon materialcould be used, if desired.

In addition to the notched corners 345 within bore 335 of coupler 334,second end 302 of second gear 260 is configured to have beveled edges341 that correspond to beveled edges 343 formed on a bottom end 342 ofcoupler 334 such that slidable engagement of coupler 334 and second gear260 is facilitated.

A spring 348 is positioned to bias coupler 334 to engage with second end302 of second gear 260. It will be appreciated that various other meansfor effecting the spring bias force could be used. In one embodimentillustrated in FIG. 13, flange 352 forms the stop for a top end ofspring 348, while a protruding shoulder 350 formed on coupler 334 formsa stop for the bottom end of spring 348. The biased coupler 334, inturn, is stopped by a cam member 354 pivotally supported within bodyportion 280 of connector box 266. Cam member 354 is connected to camlever 332 on the outside of connector box 266.

Cam member 354 is illustrated in the cammed orientation in FIG. 13 andin the uncammed orientation in FIG. 14. FIGS. 16 and 17 show therelative positions of cam member 354 and second end 302 of second gear260 in, respectively, the cammed orientation and the uncammedorientation. The relative position of cam lever 332 on the exterior ofconnector box 266 is also illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 16, when cam member 354 is pivotedapproximately 90 degrees into the cammed orientation, cam surface 356 isrotated towards motor drive shaft 340 as support surface 358 is rotatedtowards second end 302 of second gear 260. Since cam surface 356 isfarther than support surface 358 from the axis of rotation of cam member354, as cam member 354 pivots, cam surface 356 forces coupler 334 to becammed against the spring bias force and made to slide along motor driveshaft 340 and, thus, to slide out of engagement with second gear 260. Asshown in FIGS. 13 and 16, cam surface 356 ends up supporting coupler 334at a position slightly above second end 302 of second gear 260. In thismanner, motor 254 may be disconnected from gear mechanisms to allowmanual activation of sliding system 40, without any braking occurringfrom motor 254.

Cam member 354 is configured to partially encircle second gear 260 inboth the cammed and uncammed orientation. When uncammed, support surface358 of cam member 354 is located slightly below second end 302 of secondgear 260 (FIGS. 14 and 17) such that coupler 334 is supported in theengaged position with second gear 260. Thus, when cam member 354 isuncammed, the spring bias force normally affects coupling of motor driveshaft 340 and second gear 260 through coupler 334 such that both motordrive shaft 340 and second gear 260 are directionally driven, i.e.,selectively rotated in a forward or reverse direction, by motor (notshown).

Since coupler 334 is biased by spring 348 to remain engaged with secondgear 260, the spring bias force must be overcome by the pivoting cammember 354 to effect camming, i.e., disengagement of second gear 260from coupler 334. Spring tension is adjusted as, for example, byselecting the thickness and flexibility of the material forming spring348, to ensure that inadvertent release, i.e., inadvertent camming, dueto normal vibration and jolting and jarring and, especially, the normalvibration and bouncing and bumping that occurs during travel of thecamper, is prevented because the spring bias force is not overcome bythese occurrences. On the other hand, when cam member 354 is in thecammed orientation (FIG. 16), there is a slightly increased force on camsurface 356 applied by spring 348 that is tightened as coupler 334 wascammed. Cam member 354 must be constructed to securely support coupler334 in the cammed direction.

As best shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, in one embodiment, cam member 354 isconfigured to have a rounded edge 360 between support surface 358 andcam surface 356. Surfaces 356, 358 are smooth and just slightlyresilient to permit cam member 354 to smoothly pivot along bottom end342 of coupler 334. Suitable materials, e.g., moldable nylon and plasticmaterials are known in the art. In one embodiment, cam member 354 isconstructed from a very strong but resilient nylon or plastic material.One possible product is the plastic known as DELRIN, a product of E.I.du Pont D Nemours & Co., Inc. In addition, this material and similarmaterials are readily available, moldable, durable and inexpensive. Asbest shown in FIG. 16, cam surface 356 is configured to have a slightslope 362 toward rounded edge 360 between cam surface 356 and supportsurface 358. If cam lever 332 is operated only partially, the force ofcoupler 334 upon sloped surface of cam surface 356 will tend to causecam member 354 to “flip” back into the uncammed orientation. In thismanner, cam member 354 is prevented from resting in a relatively unsafeposition that is between the fully cammed orientation and the fullyuncammed orientation. When cam lever 332 is operated fully, however, cammember 354 is very securely positioned in the cammed orientation.

It will be appreciated that various means for pivotally supporting cammember 354 within connector box 266 could be used. As shown in FIG. 18,one embodiment of cam member 354 is adapted to be added to connector box266 that is previously unprepared for use with quick release arrangement330. Cam member 354 is formed with receiving holes 370 for securelyreceiving a connecting end 372 of cam lever 332 on one side and abolt-type connector 374 on the opposite end. Bolt-type connector 374, inone embodiment, is made of a sturdy smooth material such as hard nylonor plastic. It will be appreciated that holes may be provided or may bemade in connector box 266 to correspond to receiving holes 370 and cammember 354 may then be positioned within connector box 266 withreceiving holes 370 aligned with the holes in connector box 266. Thebolt-type connector 374 and connecting end 372 of cam lever 332 arepassed through the holes in connector box 266 and into respectivereceiving holes 370 to thereby provide the pivotally supported cammember 354 of quick release arrangement 330. In addition, for ease ofremoval of cam member 354, small access holes 376 are provided withincam member 354 to connect with receiving holes 370 in a manner thatpermits the tip of a screwdriver or other small object to be insertedinto access holes 376 such that the connecting end of cam lever 332 orbolt-type connector 374 may be pushed out of engagement with therespective receiving hole 370. In one embodiment, cam lever 332 andbolt-type connector 374 are composed of a strong but resilient nylon orplastic material.

Quick release arrangement 330 of the present invention is very safe.Since coupler 334 is biased by spring 348 to remain engaged with secondgear 260, the spring bias force must be overcome by pivoting cam member354 to effect camming, i.e., disengagement of second gear 260 fromcoupler 334. Therefore, only rotational motion of cam lever 332 willovercome the spring bias force and effect camming.

Referring again to FIG. 12, connector plate 256 and connector box 266maintain first gear 258 and second gear 260 within first aperture 268and second aperture 270, respectively. Connector plate 256 and connectorbox 266 are separated from each other a predetermined distance throughthe combination of fasteners 310 and spacers 312. Fasteners 310 passthrough retaining holes 274 in flange 282 and into spacers 312.Fasteners 310 extend into retaining holes 274 in connector plate 256that includes, optionally, a threaded portion that engages with thethreads of fasteners 310. Alternatively, retaining holes 274 inconnector plate 256 are devoid of threads and fasteners 310 passtherethough to attach to guide element (not shown). Various other meansare applicable for attaching connector plate 256 to connector box 266.Additionally, there are various other means for attaching gear reductionassembly 252 to guide element (not shown) or other portion of slidingsystem 40. For example, gear reduction assembly 252 may be bolted,welded, brazed, glued, or integrally formed with sliding system 40.

Both manual activation assembly 230 and motorized activation assembly250 are structures capable of performing function of driving means foractivating the gear mechanism to extend and retract the slide-outcompartment. Other structures that are capable of performing the samefunction, in light of the teaching contained herein, are known by oneskilled in the art. Additionally, the combination of manual activationassembly 230 and/or motorized activation assembly 250 with gearmechanism 44 is one structure capable of performing the function ofmoving means for extending and retracting the slide-out compartment. Itwill be appreciated that various other moving means are capable ofperforming the same function, and are known by one skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 19A and 19B, an alternate embodiment of a sliderrail 380 is depicted. Slider rail 110, as previously discussed above,supports the majority of the weight associated with slide-outcompartment 30, thereby acting as a load-bearing member. When the sizeof slide-out compartment 30 increases, however, slider rail 110 carriesmore load and requires strengthening. One configuration that providesincreased strength to slider rail 110 is depicted as slider rail 380.The majority of the features discussed with respect to slider rail 110also relates to slider rail 380. As shown, slider rail 380 includes alower slider rail 382 and an upper slider rail 384, thereby forming aload-bearing member. Upper slider rail 384 and lower slider rail 382 areattached together at their respective middle portions 386, 388, therebyforming an I-beam structure. The I-beam construction, as known in theart, is strong, rigid, and capable of providing the necessary support.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 19B, a tubular member 390 may be fixablyattached to lower slider rail 382, such that strength is provided whileretaining the capability of lower slider rail 382 to engage with gearmechanisms 44. Tubular member 390 is depicted as having a squarecross-section, however, it can be appreciated that one skilled in theart can identify various other cross-sectional shapes that areappropriate, such as but not limited to, oval, rectangular, trapezoidal,or the like. More generally, it will be appreciated that various otherconfigurations of slider rail 380 are possible and other methods may beused to increase the strength of slider rail 380.

FIG. 21 depicts another embodiment of a sliding system according toanother aspect of the present invention. The majority of features,functions, and descriptions of other sliding systems previouslydescribed are also applicable to this alternate embodiment of thepresent invention. Similarly, the descriptions of this alternateembodiment of the present invention are applicable to the precedingembodiments of the present invention. The features that are not effectedare identified with the same reference numbers as used in FIGS. 1-20.Only those features that have changed will be described in detail.

FIG. 21 shows, by way of example and not limitation, another type of RV,RV or vehicle 410, which includes another embodiment of the slidingsystem therein. As illustrated, vehicle 410 includes a forward portion420 and a rear portion 422. Cooperating with forward portion 420 andrear portion 422 are wall portions 424, 426 and a floor or floor portion428. Slidably mounted to vehicle 410 is one possible example of aslide-out compartment, such as slide-out compartment 430.

In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 21, slide-out compartment 430 islocated intermediate between forward portion 420 and rear portion 422.Slide-out compartment 430, however, may be located closer to forwardportion 420 or rear portion 422 along wall portions 424, 426 of vehicle410. Alternatively, slide-out compartment 430 may be located on forwardpotion 420 or rear portion 422 of vehicle 410. Furthermore, vehicle 410may have a multiple number of slide-out compartments which are locatedon the same wall or different walls/portions of vehicle 410 in anycombination.

According to one aspect of the present invention, slide-out compartment430 is extended and retracted by way of a sliding system or slidersystem, as referenced in FIG. 21 by numeral 440. As with the otherconfigurations of sliding systems described herein, sliding system 440minimizes the space required for installation and usage of slidingsystem 440 to extend and retract slide-out compartment 430, therebyincreasing the available living area while providing the requisitestrength and functionality to operate slide-out compartment 430.Additionally, in one embodiment illustrated sliding system 440 uses amodular configuration where one or more slider mechanisms 446 of slidingsystem 440 may be used to extend or retract slide-out compartment 430,depending upon the size and configuration of slide-out compartment 430.For instance, large slide-out compartments may include a sliding system440 that includes two or more slider mechanisms 446, while a smallslide-out compartment may include at least one slider mechanism 446. Itwill be appreciated by one skilled in the art that various numbers ofslider mechanisms 446 may be utilized.

Regardless of the number of slider mechanisms 446 used, substantiallysimilar slider mechanisms can be interconnected or otherwise coupledtogether such that operating one slider mechanism 446 results in theother slider mechanisms 446 of sliding system 440 operating.Furthermore, the modular characteristics of sliding system 440 improvemanufacturing efficiencies through facilitating ease of installation ofslide-out compartments and associated sliding systems and mechanisms.Further, as will be discussed in further detail below, the configurationof sliding system 440 allows for simplified installation and repair,particularly in those cases where sliding system 440 is installed toreplace a prior system that has failed or been removed.

With reference to FIGS. 21 and 22, wall portion 424 and floor portion428 are adapted to receive or cooperate with slide-out compartment 430.More specifically, as depicted in FIG. 22, wall portion 424 is adaptedto cooperate with slide-out compartment 430 that includes a compartmentwall 432 and a compartment floor 434. Slide-out compartment 430 isadapted to slide from a retracted position with compartment wall 432substantially flush with wall portion 424, to an extended position wherecompartment wall 432 is extended outwardly a distance from wall portion424.

As previously mentioned, sliding system 440 used to extend or retractslide-out compartment 430 includes one or more slider mechanisms 446. Itwill be appreciated that only one slider mechanism 446 is shown in FIG.22. Regardless of the number of slider mechanisms 446 used, each slidermechanism 446 cooperates with floor portion 428 of vehicle 410 andcompartment floor 434 of slide-out compartment 430. In oneconfiguration, slider mechanism 446 can be mounted to an upper surfaceof floor portion 428 and a lower surface of compartment floor 434. Oneskilled in the art can appreciate that each slider mechanism 446 mayoptionally cooperate with a structural or support member or frame ofvehicle 410, either alone or in combination with any portion of floorportion 428 of vehicle 410 and compartment floor 434 of slide-outcompartment 430.

In one embodiment, slider mechanism 446 includes a guide member 454 anda slider rail 456 moveably cooperating with guide member 454. Guidemember 454 may have a similar configuration to guide member 54previously described. Further, like guide member 54, guide member 454 isadapted to cooperate with a gear mechanism 444 (FIG. 23) and slider rail456 to allow slide-out compartment 430 to be extended and retracted asrequired, similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9. Guide member 454 may bemounted to floor portion 428 of vehicle 410, while slider rail 456 ismounted to compartment floor 434. As may be appreciated by one skilledin the art, guide member 454 may be directly mounted to floor portion428 of vehicle 410 or may optionally include one or more feet 52previously discussed (not shown).

As depicted in FIG. 23, guide member 454 has a first side 80 and asecond side 82 separated by a base 84. Extending from first side 80 andsecond side 82 is a first securing flange 86 and a second securingflange 88, respectively. First and second securing flanges 86, 88,respectively, are sized such that a gap 90 remains therebetween. The gap90 receives a portion of slider rail 456, while securing flanges 86, 88optionally in combination with gear mechanism 444 and roller assembly148 maintain slider rail 456 within a channel 92 defined by guide member454. In this manner, guide member 454 is adapted to cooperate with gearmechanism 444, slider rail 456, and roller assembly 148 to allowslide-out compartment 430 to be extended and retracted. It will beappreciated that guide member 454 cooperates with gear mechanism 444 insubstantially the same manner as guide member 54 cooperates with gearmechanism 44, as described and shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In addition, itwill be appreciated that slider rail 456 cooperates with gear mechanism444 and guide member 454 in substantially the same way as discussedrelative to the various embodiments of slider rail 110 illustrated FIGS.1-20.

In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 23, slider rail 456 has aconfiguration substantially similar to that previously illustrated inFIG. 19B. As illustrated in FIG. 23, slider rail 456 includes a lowerportion 457 which has a middle portion 114, with a first securing member116 and a second securing member 118. In one embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 5A and 23, middle portion 114 is optionally raised relative tofirst securing member 116 and second securing member 118. It will beappreciated that it is not necessary for middle portion 114 to be raisedto carry out the intended function thereof. Rather, middle portion 114could be the same height as first and second securing members 114, 116.As a result, slider rail 456 may have a substantially flatconfiguration. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art thatslider rail 456 could have various other configurations as long as it isconfigured to be received in guide member 454 and has first and secondsecuring members 116, 118, respectively, that cooperate with firstsecuring flange 86 and second securing flange 88.

Middle portion 114 includes a number of slots 120 that are configured tocooperate with gear mechanism 444 to allow movement of slider rail 456.First and second securing members 116, 118 extend outwardly from theperipheral edges of middle portion 114. Securing members 116, 118 mayhave various widths, so long as they are capable of cooperating withsecuring flanges 86, 88 of guide member 454 to retain slider rail 456within channel 92 defined by guide member 454.

Mounted to middle portion 114 of lower portion 457 of slider rail 456 isan upper portion 459 which is configured to increase the strength ofslider rail 456. In one embodiment, upper portion 459 is formed by atubular member 458 that provides additional strength to slider rail 456.Tubular member 458 may optionally include slots therethrough to enabletubular member 458 to cooperate with gear mechanism 444. If tubularmember 458 includes slots, these slots would be configured andpositioned to be aligned with slots 120 formed in slider rail 456. Inthis manner, gear mechanism 444 would cooperate with both slots 120 inslider rail 456 and the slots in tubular member 458. It will beappreciated that although tubular member 458 is depicted in FIG. 23 ashaving a substantially square cross-section, various otherconfigurations of tubular member 458 may be used, such as, but notlimited to, oval, polygonal, or other cross-sections that providestrength to slider rail 456.

Referring now to FIGS. 24-27, alternate embodiments of slider rail 456are depicted and referenced by numerals 456 a, 456 b, 456 c, and 456 d.Although exemplary embodiments of slider rail 456 are depicted, it willbe appreciated by one skilled in the art that various otherconfigurations of slider rails are possible, so long as the rail hassufficient strength to support a slide-out compartment as describedherein. One advantage of the various configurations of slider railsillustrated in FIGS. 24-27 is the ability of the slider rail tostructurally support the slide-out compartment. These configurationsallow sliding system 440 to be mounted in vehicle 410 (FIG. 21) withoutnecessarily requiring that it be attached to the structural frame of theslide out compartment. These configurations of sliding system 440effectively distribute the load and support the weight of slide-outcompartment 430.

As depicted in FIG. 24, in one embodiment slider rail 456 a includes alower portion 457 a and an upper portion 459 a. In the illustratedembodiment, by way of example and not limitation, lower portion 457 ahas raised middle portion 114 a, with first securing member 116 a andsecond securing member 118 a. Like the other embodiments of sliderrails, slider rail 456 a has one or more slots 120 a formed in middleportion 114 a. In this embodiment upper portion 459 a is mounted orotherwise coupled to middle portion 114 a. It will be appreciated by oneskilled in the art that upper portion 459 a may be attached to lowerportion 457 a using various conventional attaching methods that areknown in the art. By way of example and not limitation, such attachingmethods may include welds, rivets, screws, bolts, and the like.

In one possible embodiment, by way of example and not limitation, upperportion 459 a comprises a generally C-shaped member 534 a having a firstflange 536 and a second flange 538. The first and second flanges 536,538 cooperate with middle portion 114 a to enable C-shaped member 534 ato provide additional strength to slider rail 456 a. Alternatively,upper portion 459 a may be a tubular member having a substantiallyrectangular cross-sectional configuration. Tubular member has optionalslots formed therein that are substantially aligned with slots 120 aformed in middle portion 114 a of slider rail 456 a. As illustrated inFIG. 24 in phantom, upper portion 459 a may also optionally include oneor more tubular members 458 a disposed within member 534 a to provideadditional strength and support for slider rail 456 a.

FIG. 25 illustrates another possible embodiment of slider rail 456 b. Asdepicted slider rail 456 b includes a lower rail portion or lowerportion 457 b having raised middle portion 114 b, with a first securingmember 116 b and a second securing member 118 b. As with other sliderrails described herein, middle portion 114 b includes one or more slots120 b.

Mounted to lower portion 457 b of slider rail 456 b is an upper portion459 b. In this particular embodiment, by way of example and notlimitation, upper portion 459 b comprises an upper rail 544 and agenerally C-shaped member 534 b having a first flange 536 and a secondflange 538. Upper rail 544 has substantially the same configuration asthat of lower portion 457 b. Accordingly, upper rail 544 includes middleportion 114 b′, a first securing member 116 b′, and a second securingmember 118 b′. Middle portion 114 b′ of upper rail 544 optionallyincludes one or more slots 120 b′ which are shaped and configured so asto be aligned-with slots 120 b formed in lower portion 457 b. Upper rail544 and lower portion 457 b are attached together at their respectivemiddle portions 114 b′, 114 b, thereby forming an I-beam structure. TheI-beam construction, as known in the art, is strong, rigid, and capableof providing the necessary support.

First and second flanges 536, 538, respectively, of C-shaped member 534b are attached to the under side of first securing member 116 b′ andsecond securing member 118 b′ of upper rail 544. It will be appreciatedby one skilled in the art that first and second flanges 536, 538,respectively, of C-shaped member 534 b could have alternatively beenmounted on top of first securing member 116 b′ and second securingmember 118 b′ of upper rail 544. In either configuration, C-shapedmember 534 b provides additional strength to slider rail 456 b.

In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 25, upper portion 459 b of sliderrail 456 b optionally includes tubular member 458 b. As depicted,tubular member 458 b is disposed within C-shaped member 534 b and ismounted on upper rail 544. Tubular member 458 b may optionally includeslots that are aligned with slots 120 b′ in upper rail 544 and slots 120b in lower portion 457 b that cooperate with gear mechanism 444. Aspreviously discussed relative to FIG. 24, it will be appreciated by oneskilled in the art that the various elements of upper portion 459 b maybe attached together and that upper portion 459 b may be attached tolower portion 457 b using various conventional attaching methods thatare known in the art. By way of example and not limitation, suchattaching methods may include welds, rivets, screws, bolts, or othermeans of attaching one member to another member.

FIG. 26 depicts another embodiment of a slider rail. As shown by way ofexample and not limitation, in this embodiment slider rail 456 cincludes a lower portion 457 c and an upper portion 459 c. Lower portion457 c has a similar configuration to lower portions 457 a, 457 b.Mounted or otherwise coupled to middle portion 114 c of lower portion457 c is upper portion 459 c that includes three tubular members 542 a,542 b, and 542 c. One or more of tubular members 542 a, 542 b, and 542 care coupled to middle portion 114 c. Optionally tubular members 542 a,542 b, and 542 c may also be connected one to another.

It will be appreciated that tubular member 542 a, 542 b, and 542 c mayhave a variety of different cross-sections so long as the configurationsare adapted to provide additional strength to lower portion 457 c. Asdepicted in FIG. 26, by way of example and not limitation, tubularmember 542 b has a substantially square cross-sectional configurationwhile tubular members 542 a and 542 c have a substantially rectangularcross-sectional configuration. Various other configurations andcombinations of cross-sections may be used. Further, while theembodiment depicted in FIG. 26 includes an upper portion 459 c thatcomprises three tubular members, upper portion 459 c may include othernumbers of tubular members, including but not limited to at least onetubular member. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 26, upper portion459 c does not include optional slots. As with other embodiments ofslider rail, lower portion 457 c of slider rail 456 c does include slots120 c configured to cooperate with gear mechanism 444 disposed in guidemember 454.

As previously discussed, it will be appreciated by one skilled in theart that the various elements of upper portion 459 c may be attachedtogether and that upper portion 459 c may be attached to lower portion457 c using various conventional attaching methods that are known in theart. By way of example and not limitation, such attaching methods mayinclude welds, rivets, screws, bolts and or other means of attaching onemember to another member, whether or not such members are made from thesame or different materials.

FIG. 27 illustrates, by way of example and not limitation, anotherembodiment of slider rail 456 d which includes a lower portion 457 d andan upper portion 459 d. Lower portion 457 d has a similar configurationto lower portions 457 a, 457 b, and 457 c. Mounted or otherwise coupledto a middle portion 114 d of lower portion 457 d is upper portion 459 dthat is a tubular member 542 d having indented middle regions 556 a, 556b. Middle region 556 b is coupled to middle portion 114 d of lowerportion 457 d. Upper portion 459 d may have a variety of differentcross-sections so long as the same is adapted to provide additionalstrength to lower portion 457 d. Indented middle region 556 b has slot120 d′ formed therein that are configured and aligned with slots 120 dformed in middle portion 114 d of lower portion 457 d.

As previously discussed, it will be appreciated by one skilled in theart that upper portion 459 d may be attached to lower portion 457 dusing various conventional attaching methods that are known in the art.By way of example and not limitation, such attaching methods may includewelds, rivets, screws, bolts, or other means of attaching one member toanother member.

Returning to FIG. 23, the modular characteristics of slider mechanism446 allows numerous different components to be connected to gearmechanism 444 that facilitates driving of one or more other slidermechanisms that may be connected thereto. Depending upon the particularconfiguration of the slide-out compartment associated with therecreational vehicle, one or more slider mechanisms 446 can be connectedtogether in a manner that allows the rotational motion of one gearmechanism 444 to be translated or transferred to rotational motion ofother gear mechanisms 444 of other slider mechanisms 446.

Sliding system 440 includes gear mechanism 444 which is substantiallythe same as gear mechanism 44 illustrated and discussed in relation toFIG. 7. Similarly, sliding system 440 includes roller assembly 152illustrated and discussed in relation to FIG. 6. As depicted in FIG. 23,gear mechanism 444 includes gear shaft 170 and gear 172. As with gearmechanism 44, the ends of gear shaft 170 are configured to cooperatewith means for driving said gear mechanism, a gear reduction assembly, aquick-release arrangement, connector member, or other components thatcan facilitate driving of the gear mechanism.

In one embodiment, gear mechanism 444 is adapted to cooperate withconnector member 232 which translates the rotational motion of gearmechanism 444 to another gear mechanism 444 of another slider mechanism446 b. Connector member 232 is used in those instances that more thanone slider mechanism is being used in sliding system 440. Connectormember 232 can have a similar configuration to that described above inrelation to drive shaft 210 illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, such that theends of connector member 232 are adapted to cooperate with gear shafts170 of the gear mechanisms 444. Hence, the recess in the ends ofconnector member 232 may have various configurations so long as suchconfiguration is complementary to the configuration of gear shaft 170 ofgear mechanism 444 to which it is to engage. Although reference is madeherein to connecting two sliding assemblies 440 a and 440 b through useof connector member 232, it can be understood that sliding assemblies440 a, 440 b can be connected using a timing assembly, such as timingassembly 205.

As illustrated in FIG. 23, modular slider mechanism 446 also providesfor gear shaft 170 to cooperate with a motorized activation assemblyused to extend and retract the slide-out compartment. For instance,motorized activation assembly 250 may be connected to guide member 454and gear mechanism 444 in a similar manner to motorized activationassembly 250 connecting to guide member 54 and gear mechanism 44, whichwas depicted and discussed relative to FIG. 12, to allow motor 254 todrive gear mechanism 444. Alternatively, gear mechanism 444 maycooperate with a modified motorized activation assembly that facilitatestranslation of rotational motion from motor 254 to gear mechanism 444,without providing a quick release arrangement. For instance, in oneembodiment, the motorized activation assembly may include connector box266 (FIG. 12) that cooperates with motor 254, without the quick releasearrangement. Therefore, elongated second end 302 of second gear 260(FIG. 12) cooperates directly with motor 254. Alternatively, shaft 340of motor 254 (FIG. 12) may cooperate with a modified second gear 260that includes a hole or recess complementary to shaft 340 of motor 254.

In another configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 28, the motorizedactivation assembly 250 only includes a gear reduction assembly 252 thatconnects or couples to shaft 340 of motor 254 without connector box 266(FIG. 12). As depicted in FIG. 28, a gear reduction assembly 252 may becoupled between motor 254 and gear mechanism 444, only a portion of gearshaft 170 being illustrated. Gear reduction assembly 252 is configuredto reduce the rotational motion of a shaft 340 of motor 254 dependentupon the revolutions per minute (RPM) of motor 254 and the desired speedby which slide-out compartment 430 (FIG. 22) is to extend or retractfrom vehicle 410. In this manner, gear reduction assembly 252 translatesthe rotational motion of shaft 340 of motor 254 to a lesser or greaterRPM for the gear shaft 170 of gear mechanism 444.

Gear reduction assembly 252 includes a first connector plate 556 and asecond connector plate 557. Disposed between first connector plate 556and second connector plate 557 are a first gear 558 and a second gear560. In one embodiment, first connector plate 556 has a generallypolygonal shape with a first aperture 568 and a second aperture 570formed therein. First connector plate 556 further includes a pluralityof retaining holes 588 located about the peripheral edge of firstconnector plate 556 that cooperate with a plurality of fasteners toallow-first connector plate 556 to be coupled to guide member 454. Itwill be appreciated that various other numbers and configurations ofretaining holes 588 may be used to perform the function thereof.

Cooperating with first aperture 568 is first gear 558. First gear 558has a first end 590 and a second end 592. First gear 558 further has aplurality of teeth 594 formed thereon. First end 590 of first gear 558is adapted to be disposed within first aperture 568 of first connectorplate 556, while second end 592 of first gear 558 is disposed withinfirst aperture 568 in second connector plate 557. Extending from firstend 590 toward second end 592 is an interior recess 596 that engageswith gear shaft 170, such that rotational movement of first gear 558rotates gear shaft 170 of gear mechanism 444. As such, interior recess596 may have various forms and dimensions, so long as it is capable ofcooperating with and engaging gear shaft 170. Furthermore, interiorrecess 596 may extend partially or completely from first end 590 tosecond end 592. Optionally, a bushing (not shown) may be disposed withinfirst apertures 568 to reduce the frictional contact between first gear558 and its respective apertures 568. Similarly, interior recess 596 canbe formed from a sleeve that cooperates with an aperture formed in firstgear 558.

Second gear 560 is engaged with both first gear 558 and second connectorplate 557. Second gear 560 has a first end 600 and a second end 602.Second gear 560 also has a plurality of teeth 604 formed thereonconfigured to cooperate with teeth 594 formed on first gear 558. Firstend 600 of second gear 560 cooperates with second aperture 570 of firstconnector plate 556, while second end 602 cooperates with secondaperture 570 formed in second connector plate 557. Second end 602 ofsecond gear 560 is further adapted with an interior recess 606 that isadapted to receive shaft 340 of motor 254 so that rotational motioninduced by motor 254 is translated to teeth 604 that are engaged withteeth 594 of first gear 558. Second end 602 of second gear 560 may havevarious forms as known by one skilled in the art. It will be appreciatedby one skilled in the art that interior recess 606 of second end 602 ofsecond gear 560 may have various configurations as long as it willcooperate with shaft 340 to perform the function thereof.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the system of thepresent invention may utilize a motor configured to be disposed at avariety of locations relative to the sliding assemblies and providestructures that allow the motor to optionally connect directly to gearshaft 170 without intermediate gear reduction assembly and/or quickrelease arrangement. Further, the motor 254 can be disposed betweensliding assemblies, while still translating the rotational motion of themotor to the connected gear mechanisms.

In one embodiment, illustrated by way of example and not limitation inFIG. 29, sliding system 640 includes three slider mechanisms 446 a, 446b, and 446 c. As shown, in this embodiment sliding system 640 includesmotor 654 that is adapted to be located between two adjacent slidingassemblies 446 a and 446 b. Although reference is made to three slidingassemblies, one skilled in the art can appreciate that because of themodular design of the slider assemblies, sliding system 640 and othersliding systems of the present invention may include one or more slidingsystems associated with the modular system of the present invention. Forinstance, and not by way of limitation, motor 654 could cooperatedirectly with a single slider mechanism 446.

In one embodiment, motor 654 of sliding system 640 engages with a firstconnector member 232 a that extends from motor 654 to slider mechanism446 a, while also engaging with a second connector member 232 b thatextends to slider mechanism 446 b. Motor 654 can be disposed betweenslider mechanism 446 a and 446 b because, as shown in FIG. 30, in oneembodiment motor 654 includes a drive recess 660 that is configured toaccommodate two removable shafts 640 a, 640 b. Drive recess 660 may alsobe adapted to receive gear shaft 170 of gear mechanism 444, a fixed gearshaft of a gear reduction assembly and/or a portion of a quick releasearrangement therein.

As illustrated, motor 654 includes a drive shaft 642 that includes adrive gear 644. Drive gear 644 communicates with one or more gears orlinkages (not shown) that cooperate with electric motor 656 andtranslate the rotational motion of motor 656 to drive gear 644 and hencea gear mechanism connected to motor 654. Although reference is made touse of electric motor 656, various other types of motor can be used,such as, but not limited to, pneumatic, oil, gasoline, or the like.

The drive shaft 642 includes drive recess 660 that is configured tocooperate with removable shafts 640 a, 640 b that in turn cooperate withconnector members 232 a, 232 b. Therefore, recess 660 can have variousconfigurations so long as recess 660 can cooperate with shafts 640 a,640 b. For instance, recess 660 can be hexagonal, square, octagonal,triangular, oval, star-shaped, polygonal, or other configurations thatfacilitate mating between recess 660 and shafts 640 a, 640 a in drivingengagement. In another configuration, drive shaft 642 extends tocooperate with connector members 232 a, 232 b rather than shafts 640 a,640 b. In still another configuration, drive shaft 642 extends tocooperate with connector member 232 a, while including a portion ofrecess 660 to accommodate shaft 640 b that cooperates with connectormember 232 b. Similarly, drive shaft 642 extends to cooperate withconnector member 232 b, while including a portion of recess 660 toaccommodate shaft 640 a that cooperates with connector member 232 a.

Each shaft 640 a, 640 b includes a respective stop 646 that preventseach shaft 640 a, 640 b from entering recess 660 sufficiently that theshaft is incapable of engaging with respective connector members 232 a,232 b. Each stop 646 can be integrally formed with shafts 640 a, 640 bor alternatively be removably coupled to shafts 640 a, 640 b.

Through this configuration of slider mechanism 446 and associated othercomponents or elements of sliding system of the present invention,individuals can simply and easily connect one or more sliding assembliestogether in an expandable manner so that the sliding system of thepresent invention can accommodate any type of slide-out compartment.Furthermore, the module characteristics of the sliding system reduce thecomplexity associated with installing, repairing, and retrofittingslide-out compartments for recreational vehicles. For instance, thesliding system can be mounted directly to the floor of the recreationalvehicle at a location where the slide-out compartment is to bepositioned, with the slider rails of the sliding assemblies forming asupport for the floor of the slide-out compartment.

In addition, the sliding system of the present invention may allow anoperator of the sliding system to extend or retract the slide-outcompartment either manually or through use of a motor. When a quickrelease arrangement is included between the motor and the gearmechanism, releasing the quick release arrangement allows the operatorto manually extend or retract the slide-out compartment in a similarmanner to that described herein. In the event that the motor is disposedbetween two sliding assemblies, as illustrated in FIG. 29, two quickrelease arrangements may be coupled to the motor, one on either side ofthe motor. By so doing, the operator can disconnect the motor when thereis a problem with the motor, and manually extend or retract theslide-out compartment by manually rotating the gear mechanisms disposedat the ends of the sliding system. Alternatively, in the event that theoperator has a second motor, similar to the motor described with respectto FIGS. 29 and 30, the operator may optionally replace the problematicmotor or similar connect the motor directly to a gear shaft of one gearmechanism and manually operate another gear mechanism to extend orretract the slide-out compartment. Similarly, the operator can connectthe motor to one gear mechanism and partially move a slider rail of theslider mechanism 446 and subsequently connect the motor to the othergear mechanism to move another slider rail of another slider mechanism,thereby incrementally extending or retracting the slide-out compartment.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. A sliding mechanism for moving a slide-out compartment of a vehicle,the sliding mechanism comprising: a guide member which defines aninterior channel, the guide member being open on a longitudinal side; asliding member disposed to at least substantially close the longitudinalside of the guide member; and a gear which engages the sliding member tomove the sliding member relative to the guide member, the gear beingpositioned to rotate on an axis which is in the interior channel;wherein the guide member and the sliding member cooperate with eachother to move the slide-out compartment between an extended position anda retracted position.
 2. A sliding mechanism for moving a slide-outcompartment of a vehicle, the sliding mechanism comprising: a guidemember which is open on a longitudinal side; a sliding member used tosupport the slide-out compartment through the longitudinal side of theguide member; and a gear which engages the sliding member to move thesliding member relative to the guide member; wherein the guide memberand the sliding member cooperate with each other to move the slide-outcompartment between an extended position and a retracted position.
 3. Asliding mechanism for moving a slide-out compartment of a vehicle, thesliding mechanism comprising: a guide member which is open on alongitudinal side; a sliding member which cooperates with the guidemember to move the slide-out compartment between an extended positionand a retracted position; and a gear which engages the sliding member tomove the sliding member relative to the guide member; wherein thesliding member is positioned between the gear and the longitudinal sideof the guide member.
 4. A sliding mechanism for moving a slide-outcompartment of a vehicle, the sliding mechanism comprising: a guidemember which defines an interior channel; a sliding member including aplurality of holes; and a gear which engages the plurality of holes inthe sliding member to move the sliding member relative to the guidemember, the gear being positioned in the interior channel and rotatingon an axis which is at least substantially horizontal; wherein the guidemember and the sliding member cooperate with each other to move theslide-out compartment between an extended position and a retractedposition.
 5. The sliding mechanism of claim 1, wherein the slidingmember is positioned between the gear and the longitudinal side of theguide member.
 6. The sliding mechanism of claim 1, wherein the gearengages a plurality of holes in the sliding member to move the slidingmember relative to the guide member.
 7. The sliding mechanism of claim1, comprising an electric motor used to drive the gear.
 8. The slidingmechanism of claim 1, wherein the guide member is shaped substantiallylike a C.
 9. The sliding mechanism of claim 1, wherein the guide memberincludes a roller which is used to guide movement of the sliding member.10. The sliding mechanism of claim 1, wherein the sliding member ispositioned to support the slide-out compartment through the longitudinalside of the guide member.
 11. The vehicle including the slide-outcompartment and the sliding mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein thesliding mechanism is disposed in the interior of the vehicle between astationary portion of the vehicle and the slide-out compartment.
 12. Thesliding mechanism of claim 1 comprising another guide member whichdefines an interior channel, the another guide member being open on alongitudinal side; another sliding member disposed to at leastsubstantially close the longitudinal side of the another guide member;and another gear which engages the another sliding member to move theanother sliding member relative to the another guide member, the anothergear being positioned to rotate on an axis which is in the interiorchannel defined by the another guide member; wherein the another guidemember and the another sliding member cooperate with each other to movethe slide-out compartment between the extended position and theretracted position.
 13. The sliding mechanism of claim 12, comprisingsupport elements coupled between the guide member and the another guidemember to provide a rigid base assembly which includes the guide member,the another guide member, and the support elements.
 14. The slidingmechanism of claim 12, comprising supports coupled between the slidingmember and the another sliding member to provide a rigid slider assemblywhich includes the sliding member, the another sliding member, and thesupports.
 15. The sliding mechanism of claim 12, comprising a timingassembly which moves telescopically between one position where the gearand the another gear move in unison and another position where the gearand the another gear move independently of each other.
 16. The slidingmechanism of claim 2, wherein the gear is coupled between opposing sidewalls of the guide member.
 17. The sliding mechanism of claim 16,wherein the guide member defines an interior channel, the opposing sidewalls defining at least a portion of the channel.
 18. The slidingmechanism of claim 2, wherein the sliding member is disposed in aninterior channel defined by the guide member.
 19. The sliding mechanismof claim 2, wherein the gear is positioned to rotate on an axis which isin an interior channel defined by the guide member.
 20. The slidingmechanism of claim 2, wherein the sliding member is positioned betweenthe gear and the longitudinal side of the guide member.
 21. The slidingmechanism of claim 2, wherein the sliding member at least substantiallycloses the longitudinal side of the guide member.
 22. The slidingmechanism of claim 2, wherein the gear engages a plurality of holes inthe sliding member to move the sliding member relative to the guidemember.
 23. The sliding mechanism of claim 2, comprising an electricmotor used to drive the gear.
 24. The sliding mechanism of claim 2,wherein the guide member is shaped substantially like a C.
 25. Thesliding mechanism of claim 2, wherein the guide member includes a rollerwhich is used to guide movement of the sliding member.
 26. The slidingmechanism of claim 2, wherein the sliding member supports the slide-outcompartment through the longitudinal side of the guide member for atleast an instant as the slide-out compartment moves between the extendedposition and the retracted position.
 27. The sliding mechanism of claim2, wherein a portion of the sliding member extends through thelongitudinal side of the guide member.
 28. The sliding mechanism ofclaim 2, wherein the sliding member is positioned to receive a portionof the slide-out compartment which extends through the longitudinal sideof the guide member.
 29. The vehicle including the slide-out compartmentand the sliding mechanism as recited in claim 2, wherein the slidingmechanism is disposed in the interior of the vehicle between astationary portion of the vehicle and the slide-out compartment.
 30. Thesliding mechanism of claim 2 comprising another guide member which isopen on a longitudinal side; another sliding member used to support theslide-out compartment through the longitudinal side of the another guidemember; and another gear which engages the another sliding member tomove the another sliding member relative to the another guide member;wherein the another guide member and the another sliding membercooperate with each other to move the slide-out compartment between theextended position and the retracted position.
 31. The sliding mechanismof claim 30, comprising support elements coupled between the guidemember and the another guide member to provide a rigid base assemblywhich includes the guide member, the another guide member, and thesupport elements.
 32. The sliding mechanism of claim 30, comprisingsupports coupled between the sliding member and the another slidingmember to provide a rigid slider assembly which includes the slidingmember, the another sliding member, and the supports.
 33. The slidingmechanism of claim 30, comprising a timing assembly which movestelescopically between one position where the gear and the another gearmove in unison and another position where the gear and the another gearmove independently of each other.
 34. The sliding mechanism of claim 3,wherein the gear is coupled between opposing side walls of the guidemember.
 35. The sliding mechanism of claim 34, wherein the guide memberdefines an interior channel, the opposing side walls defining at least aportion of the channel.
 36. The sliding mechanism of claim 3, whereinthe sliding member is disposed in an interior channel defined by theguide member.
 37. The sliding mechanism of claim 3, wherein the gear ispositioned to rotate on an axis which is in an interior channel definedby the guide member.
 38. The sliding mechanism of claim 3, wherein thesliding member at least substantially closes the longitudinal side ofthe guide member.
 39. The sliding mechanism of claim 3, wherein the gearengages a plurality of holes in the sliding member to move the slidingmember relative to the guide member.
 40. The sliding mechanism of claim3, comprising an electric motor used to drive the gear.
 41. The slidingmechanism of claim 3, wherein the guide member is shaped substantiallylike a C.
 42. The sliding mechanism of claim 3, wherein the guide memberincludes a roller which is used to guide movement of the sliding member.43. The sliding mechanism of claim 3, wherein the sliding member ispositioned to support the slide-out compartment through the longitudinalside of the guide member.
 44. The sliding mechanism of claim 3comprising another guide member which is open on a longitudinal side;another sliding member which cooperates with the another guide member tomove the slide-out compartment between the extended position and theretracted position; and another gear which engages the another slidingmember to move the another sliding member relative to the another guidemember; wherein the another sliding member is positioned between theanother gear and the longitudinal side of the another guide member. 45.The sliding mechanism of claim 44, comprising support elements coupledbetween the guide member and the another guide member to provide a rigidbase assembly which includes the guide member, the another guide member,and the support elements.
 46. The sliding mechanism of claim 44,comprising supports coupled between the sliding member and the anothersliding member to provide a rigid slider assembly which includes thesliding member, the another sliding member, and the supports.
 47. Thesliding mechanism of claim 44, comprising a timing assembly which movestelescopically between one position where the gear and the another gearmove in unison and another position where the gear and the another gearmove independently of each other.
 48. The sliding mechanism of claim 4,wherein the sliding member is disposed in the interior channel.
 49. Thesliding mechanism of claim 4, wherein the guide member is open on alongitudinal side and wherein the sliding member is positioned betweenthe gear and the longitudinal side of the guide member.
 50. The slidingmechanism of claim 4, wherein the guide member is open on a longitudinalside and wherein the sliding member is positioned to at leastsubstantially close the longitudinal side of the guide member.
 51. Thesliding mechanism of claim 4, comprising an electric motor used to drivethe gear.
 52. The sliding mechanism of claim 4, wherein the guide memberis shaped substantially like a C.
 53. The sliding mechanism of claim 4,wherein the guide member includes a roller which is used to guidemovement of the sliding member.
 54. The sliding mechanism of claim 4,comprising a roller coupled to the guide member, the roller being usedto support the sliding member as the sliding member moves relative tothe guide member.
 55. The sliding mechanism of claim 4, wherein theguide member is open on a longitudinal side and wherein the slidingmember is positioned to support the slide-out compartment through thelongitudinal side of the guide member.
 56. The vehicle including theslide-out compartment and the sliding mechanism as recited in claim 4,wherein the sliding mechanism is disposed in the interior of the vehiclebetween a stationary portion of the vehicle and the slide-outcompartment.
 57. The sliding mechanism of claim 4 comprising anotherguide member which defines an interior channel; another sliding memberincluding a plurality of holes; and another gear which engages theplurality of holes in the another sliding member to move the anothersliding member relative to the another guide member, the another gearbeing positioned in the interior channel defined by the another guidemember and rotating on an axis which is at least substantiallyhorizontal; wherein the another guide member and the another slidingmember cooperate with each other to move the slide-out compartmentbetween the extended position and the retracted position.
 58. Thesliding mechanism of claim 25, comprising support elements coupledbetween the guide member and the another guide member to provide a rigidbase assembly which includes the guide member, the another guide member,and the support elements.
 59. The sliding mechanism of claim 25,comprising supports coupled between the sliding member and the anothersliding member to provide a rigid slider assembly which includes thesliding member, the another sliding member, and the supports.
 60. Thesliding mechanism of claim 25, comprising a timing assembly which movestelescopically between one position where the gear and the another gearmove in unison and another position where the gear and the another gearmove independently of each other.